Information Commissioner’s Office to operate online due to poor office conditions

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) has announced that it will begin providing services online from tomorrow, citing the deteriorating condition of its current premises.

In a statement, the commission said the office space is no longer suitable for work due to structural and space-related issues. As a result, all operations will shift online until further notice.

Members of the public seeking information or assistance can contact the office at 3010990, the commission added.

In the 2024 Annual Report released by ICOM earlier in March, they said that the offices had been moved to G. Billoorijehige in 2015 after having major renovations done. However, within a short period, water leaks resume near the bathroom and tearoom in the office, leading to extensive mold on the walls.

According to the report, despite multiple repairs, the office falls to its previous rundown state within a few days.

It said that in addition to the bathroom and tearoom, it has now become difficult to use the office's meeting room as well, due to the same reason. Water leakage into the meeting room from the western wall has led to the carpet being damaged, as well as leaving an unpleasant odour from the dirty water.

The report said that ICOM has been appealing to relevant authorities to facilitate a solution to this since January 2017, with no solutions found as seven years have now passed since the initial request.

Once the Finance Ministry granted permission to seek office space in 2024, efforts were commenced. However, as the bid price exceeds MVR 7.6 million, on November 19, 2024 it was sent to the Finance Ministry for approval in accordance with the Public Finance Act. It was then stated that the Tender Board will announce seeking office spaces for ICOM. However, no such announcements have been made to date, the report states.